Christmas decoration idea

Crochet Snowflakes Coasters

 

Difficulty Level: Entry level with some crochet and assembly experiences
Finished size: approx. 4″ (D)
Make: 6 coasters

Materials & Tools:
1. DMC Pearl Cotton Ball size 8, 2, White, double strand
2. Crochet Hook, 1.75mm
3. Synthetic Felt, 2mm thickness, Red, 12″ x 8″
4. 4″ Hexagon template, to draw your own template with the variable of R=2″, or, you can use 4″ circles as an alternative
5. Quick dry all purpose adhesive (clear color), 6. Scissors
7. Spray bottle or fabric stiffener

Abbreviations:
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
slst = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
tog = together
prev = previous
fo = fasten off

Snowflakes Pattern (in American terms)
Use double strand of DMC Pearl Cotton, size 8, in white. Make a Slip Knot to begin.
Rnd 1:
ch 2 (this first ch is considered as base ring of the snowflakes, the second ch is the beginning st of rnd 1), *12 sc in the first ch, slst to the ch stitch at the beginning of the round.
Rnd 2:
ch3, dc in next stitch, ch5, *skip 1 st, 2dc on next st, ch5, repeat *5 times. slst to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd.
Rnd 3:
ch 1, *ch9, sc in second ch from hook, sc in next 2 sts, sc next 2 sts tog, ch6  slst in 4th ch from hook, ch7 slst in the prev slst st, ch3 slst in the prev slst st, slst in next 2 sts, ch5, sc in second ch from hook, sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts, skip 1 ch sts and 1 dc st of prev rnd, sc in next dc sts,, 3 sc in the 5-ch space of prev rnd, ch3 slst to the loop of last sc, ch7 slst in the prev slst st, ch3 slst in the prev slst st, 3 sc in the 5-ch space of prev rnd, sc in dc st of prev rnd, repeat * 6 times, slst to the first ch at the beginning of the rnd. fo, hide thread ends

Dampen the crochet snowflakes by spraying some water on it or brushing a thin layer of fabric stiffener, adjust the shape and pin it down to an ironing board, leave it dry to block the shape.
Note: Use Martha Stewart Water Resistant Fabric Stiffener if you wish to seal the white snowflakes to protect it from getting stained.

Assembly
Cut hexagon felt, glue the crochet snowflakes on it by using clear quick dry all purpose adhesive. Press them with heavy books for at least 10 minutes

For further information go to http://www.craftpassion.com/2013/11/crochet-snowflakes-coasters.html/2. It will give you the step by step instructions on how to complete this project too. Enjoy!

Paper use ideas

5 Exciting Ways To Give Your Scrapbook Paper A NEW Look!

One of  the fun things about scrapbooking is the freedom to try new ideas and discovering techniques that add special appeal to your scrapbook layouts.
One of the latest scrapbook trends is to create a bit of dimension to the paper used for a layout.
Here are five ways to bring the paper on your layout to life.  Ready to have some fun?

1.  Create pockets and shutters.

If you’re designing a scrapbook layout that won’t be kept in plastic, or a mini scrapbook, then the use of pockets and shutters are a clever way to bring your layout to life.  A pocket can be made out of cardstock and used to hold a photo, a journal note, or perhaps a special token from a trip.
Build the pocket into the design of your layout, rather than just filling up an empty space.  For instance, if you’re doing a Halloween layout, the pocket could look as though it’s a trick-or-treat bag.  For a Christmas layout, design your pockets to look like Christmas packages.
Shutters are a cute way to add an element of surprise to your layout.  Just like shutters on a window can open and close, create shutters to be used with a couple of your photos.  Viewers will have fun peaking in to see the photos.

2.  Add fun with pinwheels.

Adding paper pinwheels to your layout will give a playful feel to the overall look.  Pinwheels are constructed from  curled paper with a tack through the center.  They should be made from scrapbook paper that will complement the colors in the layout.  For a flatter appearance, use two colors of paper and make a quilted pinwheel.
Instead of pinwheels, experiment with other shapes, such as stars, fish, flowers, or even squares.  Adhere the shapes to your layout with foam tape for added dimension  Use some of your shapes to overlap the mat of a photo or journal block.  This will help the shapes to pop out, while drawing attention to the photo or journaling.

3.  Be creative with weaving.

Weaving can add a special effect to your layout and can be done in a variety of ways.  When weaving is done effectively, it enhances the look of a layout without drawing all of the attention onto the weaving.  Here are a few examples:

• Weave paper to create a border to be used at the top and bottom of the page.  Incorporate the colors that you’re using for the photo mats.
• Use different shades of blue and a wavy cut to create ripples in water.
• Weave a background.  Use two 12″ sheets of scrapbook paper.  Cut one sheet into 1 cm. strips and weave the strips into the other sheet.  Add a paper border to the top and bottom to cover up any unevenness.
• Make corner mounts for a layout with a zigzag border.
• Use weaving as the bottom layer for displaying a photo.
• Weave flower petals.  After weaving two sheets of paper.  Use a petal template and trace petals onto the weaving.  Use your sewing machine and sew a border just inside of the tracing.  This will help the petals to keep their shape once you cut the petals out.

4.  Use crinkle paper.

If you’re press for time, or simply want to have a “crinkle” appearance to your paper, you can purchase small rolls of adhesive crinkle paper.  Each roll has a crinkle look to it which adds a fun dimension to a layout.  You can also purchase matching twine, cord and paper tape.
Whether you use the paper as a full background, or for a portion of your layout, it’s easy to adhere and will look great.
Another quick idea is to use wallpaper.  Do you have leftover wallpaper from a project?  Does your local wallpaper store give out free samples?  Most wallpaper has texture which when used in a scrapbook layout, will bring life to your photos and journaling.

5.  Add a torn look.

Instead of using a background that fills the entire page, choose two different backgrounds.
For example, if you’re doing a layout of a day at the beach, use a sandy looking background for part of the page and a water pattern background for the other portion.  Cut and adhere your sandy background first.  Then rip the blue paper to give the effect that the water is washing up onto the sand.
The torn look is also a fun way to add borders to a layout or as the writing section of journal blocks.
These five ideas are just a small sample of the many techniques that can be used to bring the paper on your layout to life.  The important thing to remember is just to have fun and try different ideas.  Before you know it, your layouts will be spectacular works of art!

Matting photos

5 New Ways To Matte A Photo On Your Scrapbook Pages

Want to take your scrapbook layouts to a whole new level?  Just by adding some special attention to your photo mats, you can add an inspiring element to your layouts.

1.  Dimensional matting.

Quite often we make photo mats out of cardstock and call it good enough.  However, by adding just one or two embellishments, you can create exquisite photo mats.  For example:

• Layer mats.  When you look at a framed photo, often the photo is matted with a neutral border and then the frame is in a dark color.  Use the same concept for your scrapbook photos.  Use a light color cardstock to mat a photo and then a darker color of cardstock to create an outside border.
• Twine or thin ribbon.  Once you mat a photo with cardstock, add a borer to the inside and outside edge of the cardstock with twine or ribbon.  This adds a fun touch to your photos.
• Embellishments.  Add decorative tacks to the corners of your mats, overlap part of a mat with a silk flower, randomly glue sequins or buttons onto a mat…when it comes to embellishing your photo mats, the sky’s the limit!
• Photo corners.  Often photo corners are used in place of a mat.  However, you can mat a photo and then place two photo corners inside two diagonal corners of the mat.  This will add depth to your photo.

2.  Stitching matting.

Incorporating stitching in scrapbooking layouts is very trendy!  Whether you stitch by hand or machine, create a fun stitch on strips of cardstock to create beautiful photo mats.
If stitching by hand, create a design on the strips, such as flowers, polka dots or a person’s name.

3.  Travel themed matting.

One of the most popular scrapbooking themes is vacation.  To add a special touch to your traveling photos, make photo mats that have a travel theme.
Here are some ideas:

• Map.  Use an actual map to create a border for your photos.  Make a quarter inch or half inch mat for each photo out of the map.  If you have a souvenir type map, cut out flaps for two or three photos of places on the map that you visited.  Adhere photos to the background and then adhere the map onto the page.  As you open each flap, it will reveal a photo.
• Postage stamps.  Whether you use foreign stamps from an overseas trip or a variety of regular stamps, glue stamps onto a cardstock mat.  Overlap stamps to fill the entire space and cover with Mod Podge if you desire.
• Post cards.  Because post cards are already made out of heavy paper, they make excellent mats.  Carefully cut out a portion of the postcard and tape your photo underneath.  You don’t necessarily have to use the center of the postcard.  For example, if the left side of the postcard contains the name of a village that you visited, then use the right side to frame your photo.
• Envelopes.  Many pre-stamped envelopes come with a striped trim.  The United States has white envelopes with a red, white and blue trim.  Use the trims of the envelopes to create photo mats.

4.  Textured matting.

Look around your home for materials that have an interesting feel to them and use them for photo mats.
For example:

• Fabric.  Use up your fabric scraps by turning them into photo mats.  For added fun, use a pattern fabric for the top and bottom of a mat, and a solid fabric for the left and right side of the mat.
• Cork.  Cork is lightweight and provides fun texture to a scrapbook layout.  Use decorative tacks to give the appearance of tacking the photo onto the mat.
• Foil.  Love the look of metallic?  Foil is a great way to draw attention to your photos.  Wrap the foil around a cardstock mat.
• Embossed paper.  Whether it’s paper found in one of the scrapbooking supply aisles, or a wallpaper sample, embossed paper will add elegance to your photos.  Use a quarter or half inch thickness.

5.  Misc. theme matting.

As you get ready to mat a photo, study it and decide if there’s a theme that you can pull from the photo.  Use that theme to create a photo mat.
Here are some examples:

• Music.  Have a photo of your son playing the trumpet?  Make a photo mat out of old sheet music or scrapbook paper that has musical notes.
• Halloween.  Save those candy bar wrappers!  Make a hodge podge photo mat from different candy wrappers.
• Baby shower.  Recycle the gift wrapping paper.  Make photo mats out of plain cardstock.  Cover the mats with wrapping paper.

Let your photo mats make a statement!  The next time you’re working on a scrapbook, incorporate these five ideas.  People will be “ouuuing” and “ahhhing” over your photos.  Also, keep in mind that these ideas work great for handmade greeting cards.

A Christmas Star

Who is into crocheting?  Do you need any new Christmas ideas?  Here is one pattern to try out.  I know how to do the common granny square so it should be easy for me to try, when I get the chance to. I came across this idea when someone else shared the instructions on the group page. 

Here’s what you need:

• worsted weight yarn (from your Kraut jar!)
• H hook
• tapestry needle

Click here to reference the Crochet Abbreviations Chart.

With first color, make a magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), work 2 dc in ring, ch 1, *3 dc, ch 1, rep from * 4 more times, join and fasten off — 18 sts.

Round 2:  Join next color in any ch-1 sp, ch 3, work [2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] in same sp, ch 1, *[3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, rep from * 4 more times, join and fasten off — 36 sts.

Round 3: Join next color in any ch-1 sp, ch 1, work 1 sc in same sp, [3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc] in next ch-2 sp, * 1 sc in next ch-1 sp, [3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc] in next ch-2 sp, rep from * 4 more times, join and fasten off — 42 sts.

Ana from Lana & Hilos has created a helpful stitch diagram for this Granny Star. Click here to open the diagram.

 

http://www.petalstopicots.com/2012/12/granny-star-pattern/